Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-11-04

Louvait's spirits rose to tho occasion. His
enthusiasm became boundless as his am
bition.
mot only have j secured the sole man
agement of the case-a thing l didn't ex-
poet at the outset-but | have beaten
Loroi,n exclaimed he, joyously.
SO the two worthless, in the most compla-
cent and self-satisied humor, retired for a
brief rest.
Tho result Of Louvait's careful and unro-
hitting exertions, next day, were as fol-
lows:
A carriage had been returned 10 livery
stable in Dol, about four o'clock on the very
morning following tho abduction.
at is full seven hours drive from the
sca-coast to Dol. Supposing it camo direct
from Chateau Neuf, il must have left there
about nine o'clock last evening-just about
the hour when the fishermen think they
saw the yawl and the steamerl Tho owner
says it was hired late during the previous
night. BY whoml think by the conspira-
tors another cluep'
Thus he reasoned.
Aftor further inquiries he discovered
that five MISUNDERSTANDING characters left
the cars ut Dol, on the very night when the
vehicle was procured at the livery stable
two alighting from the St. Malo express to
Paris, and three from the express arriving
from Paris.
That they had hired the chaise, Louvait
fully believed. And that this was the chaise
used in the abduction he clearly proved by
comparing the distance between its wheels
with that between the tracks cut in the
earth about the old fish-house 1t was an
old-fashioned vehicle, with a tremendous
breadth Of axle. So 1t was quito unlikely
that any other conveyance should have made
those broad ruts.
The result Of the detectives subsequent
Investigations was such as to fasten his
suspicious upon Fairfax, Oxford and Roger.
But, then, to Offset tho suspicion that the
Englishman and his servant were the inter
esting pair that mystoriously loft the st.
Malo express at Dol, the station-master at
st. Malo showed card, bearing tho sigma
turo "Arthur Fairfax requesting him ito
reserve compartment for two on $3.50 p, m.
express TO Parasite be called for by Mr..
Richard Oxford and valet"
Mr.. Oxford and valet had not only called
for this compartment but occupied il in per-
son, during the entire trip 10 Paris-so the
guard said.
''Did tho gentleman in such compart-
ment travel TO Paris or get of at Doll"
"Hc and his valet went direct to Paris"
"Describe their personal appearance
"T'heir hats were drawn down over their
faces, but / think one Of them wore light
inustache. He was at least six feet in
height. The valet wore only short-crOppod
side-whiskers. He was about five feet
seven inches tall" $50 %
This correctly described Dick and his
valet. Yet Louvait was not satisfied.
But 1t was conclusivelv proved that Ok
ford and his servant had actually arrived in
a Partisan hotel little after midnight on
the day of tho abduction. And, further
more, IL was shown that at the Usry hour Of
the abduction they wero both at the hotel,
which they left later on in tho evening for
Havre, whence they returned next morn
ing agreeably TO a message left by Oxford |
with the clerk. ..ft
This, TO an ordinary mind, was sufficient |
evidence that Oxford and Rogers could havo |
had nothing whatever TO do with the affair, |
as each could clearly prove an nlibi II called |
upon to do so. Louvait was puzzled, but |
not convinced. r.-.- t.-s
But now how was It that this interesting |
duo, which departed from st. Malo at half |
past eight in the evening, travelling direct |
TO Paris, remaining there nearly all the fol. |
lowing day, and then went 10 Havre-how
was it that this same conspiring pair also
left st. Malo at eleven o'clock tho samo
evening, rs we well know; got of OF Dol;
went back to tho village; took part in tho
abduction Of the following day, and returned
TO Paris next morningl Simple enough.
Fairfax had received Nobbitt's permission |
10 select from tho banking ONCE OF lie Toilet |
& Co. any two clerks that might suit his
fancy. He had found there two young fel-
lows, one about the height and figure Of
Dick, and the other Of his valet
To a casual observer, who took no trouble
10 notice them carefully, the former, by tho
aid Of mustache and wig, and the latter
in short side whiskers, mnde very pass
able Oxford and valet.
Tho TIVE clerks, delighted at the prospect
of irOlic went down TO st. Malo under the
doluSon that they had boon sent In disguise
for the sole purpose OF receiving and OF
conveying 10 Paris Il bundle Of vaiuabies-
all the mystery and secrecy attending their
journey being adopted only TO throw certain
prospective thieves on tho scent.
The apartments engaged by Fairfax were
given them, and tho fllso Dick and Roger,
with their equally falso but Ito thcm)
precious bundle, returned TO Paris and
registered at the hotel as Richard Oxford
and valet, keeping quiet during tho day. In
tho evening they sent word to tho ofllce of
the hotel OF an immediate trip to Hayro and
u prospective return next morning, at which
time the real oxford and servant appeared
and tool, up tho thread OF affairs where the
others had dropped it, leaving shortly after
wards for England.
CHAPTER XIV.
rtrnsNsref, .Tutssa rIfuNtrr